Yankees Release Marcus Stroman: End of an Unexpected Era
The New York Yankees have made a drastic decision by releasing right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman, abruptly ending his time with the team. Stroman, who signed with the Yankees for a two-year, $37 million contract before last season, will see the rest of his guaranteed $18 million salary from the team. At 34 years old, Stroman had an $18 million option for 2026 that would have been activated if he pitched 140 innings this season. However, with 39 innings pitched as of August 1st, he will not reach that goal and will become a free agent this winter.Boone also added that Stroman reacted to the news of his release like “a professional”. Ultimately, Stroman, who has a 3-2 record with a 6.23 ERA in nine starts this season, was the one sacrificed in the Yankees’ rotation with the return of Luis Gil from the injured list to make his debut on Sunday against the Miami Marlins. The New York starting rotation will be made up of Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Gil, Will Warren and rookie Cam Schlittler, who impressed the team’s executives in his three starts since his debut in the Major Leagues on July 9, which convinced the Yankees to pay Stroman not to pitch for them. The release of Stroman also alleviated the need for roster space, as the Yankees added four more players acquired before Thursday’s trade deadline: relievers David Bednar, Camilo Doval, and Jake Bird, and utility player José Caballero. The Yankees sent Oswald Peraza to make room for Caballero, while right-handers Ian Hamilton and Yerry de los Santos were sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday. Cutting Stroman opened up the last necessary spot on the roster. Stroman’s brief stint in the Bronx was turbulent. An All-Star with the Chicago Cubs in 2023, Stroman posted a 4.31 ERA in 30 appearances (29 starts) for the Yankees in 2024 and did not pitch in a postseason game when New York advanced to the World Series. The Yankees, anticipating a surplus of starting pitchers, attempted to trade him during the offseason but failed to finalize a deal. As a result, Stroman showed up to spring training without being projected to be part of the Opening Day starting rotation. Unhappy with that possibility, he scoffed at the idea of being a reliever by showing up for training two days later than expected by the team. Manager Aaron Boone called the situation “uncomfortable.” However, injuries to Gerrit Cole and Gil during the following month opened the door for Stroman to start the season in the rotation. The 11-year veteran was placed on the injured list with a knee injury in April, missing more than two months before returning on June 29 to make six starts. His last outing with the Yankees was on Thursday, when he allowed four runs on six hits in five innings against the Tampa Bay Rays. Stroman finished his career with the Yankees with an ERA of 4.69, the eleventh highest in the majors among pitchers who have pitched at least 190 innings in the last two seasons. He can now sign with another club for a prorated minimum, approximately $230,000 for the remainder of the 2025 campaign.“Obviously, it was difficult today,” commented Yankees manager Aaron Boone. “The perception about Stroman for us, if you could be around him in recent years, is an incredible competitor.”
Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager
